Weight

The cabin was filled with people of all ages, races, and color, but the food was the best part! They had prepared a plethora of meat and desserts, all of which were unnaturally delicious. The entire camp was singing, dancing, and drinking as they enjoyed a happy and festive atmosphere.

As I was taking a swig of some strong ale, I felt a warm object wrap around my arm as a voice whispered into my ear "Do you stop by my place? I'll make sure to give you lots of attention nya...!" I turned my head and saw a rather cute woman with solid black hair, two large, black, fluffy ears atop her head, and a long black tail that was currently wrapped around my arm.

Her hot breaths tickled my neck as she slowly got closer to me. I shook my head and said "Sorry, I'd love to but I'll be keeping watch all night to make sure nothing come into the camp." with a smile. The woman had a slight pout on her face as she said "Fine, but I'll be expecting you once I get settled in at the City. My name is Sayuri, so don't be afraid to ask around..." before walking away with her tail swaying.

I took a deep breath and exhaled into a sigh as I took another swig of ale. I had ate quite a bit and decided to leave some for the refugees as they probably needed it more than I did. The camp eventually died down and the refugees left to go back to their homes and sleep. I shook each of their hands as they once again thanked me for helping them, filling me with a sense of pride and duty.

I thanked Mac and the women who had prepared the food before donning my armor and vanishing into the trees. It was already past midnight, so there wasn't much time left before we were going to be leaving, but I decided to be safe rather than sorry as I scouted the perimeter of the camp.

I was thorough in my searches and made sure that every nook and cranny was searched to fill my map of the area completely. I then sat high up in a tree and watched my radar, making sure that none of the refugees were moving around in the middle of the night as well as watching for any potential threats.

Something about Mac's story had felt fishy, but I couldn't let that stop me from helping those in need. Day had come relatively quickly and without accidents, so I hopped down from my perch and made my way into the camp just as the refugees were packing their things and getting ready to depart.

Mac saw me and made his way over. We shook hands as Mac said "I leave our wellbeing in your hands, Guardian. I'll send my finest marksmen to guard the back while you lead the way. We all believe in you." I nodded my head and proceeded to walk through the camp, with my armor off, earning many looks from the various females, before looking out toward a vast plain with a glimmering lake in the distance.

It was quite the beautiful sight and, as fate would have it, the lake was in line with my planned path toward the City. Sam appeared and said "I have to admit, this really is a beautiful view." in a solemn voice. I nodded my head and said "It sure is. Enjoy it while you can, for we may not live long enough to see this sight ever again..."

We both fell silent as we gazed out toward the horizon. Mac had clapped his hands loudly and called out "We're all ready back here! Just let our men get their rifles and we'll be off!" followed by a loud "Yes, Sir!" from the refugees.

I watched as they began to talk to each other in excited tones, most of the conversations being about how life will be inside of the City. A small smile formed on my face as I watched the various children play with each other with vigor and happiness. This was the kind of happiness that I knew I wanted to protect.

I waited for the men to get their belongings and take up the rear before joining the lead with Mac as he yelled "Alright, we'll be travelling through some dangerous places I'm sure, however, we have a Guardian! This Guardian has vowed to keep us safe, so fear not! I will not let your dreams and ambitions die in this damned forest! Move out!" Despite knowing the dangers they would most likely face, the refugees smiled and put their complete trust in me.

And knowing that made me feel the heavy weight of each and every one of their lives on my shoulders, but that was a weight and responsibility I was willing to carry if it meant giving these people a better life.

Sam entered my body and said 'You know, at first I didn't like these people. Now I feel sort of attached to them. Damnit, I'm catching a case of dumbass!' I smiled as I materialized my armor once more and took up my weapon before taking the first step on another interesting journey.

---

The black Exo stared out at the large group of refugees, led by Lucifer, before pulling his hood up and jumping from the several hundred meter tall tree he was using as a vantage point. The Exo landed without making a sound and tapped a small device on his shirt before saying "Wraith-1 reporting. I've located the target. He seems to be escorting a group of refugees toward the City." in his raspy and robotic voice.

Static came through the device as the voice of an old man said "Good. Continue to follow them and, if they prove to be a potential threat, do not hesitate in destroying them." Wraith-1 nodded his head and said "Yes, Master. I'll make sure to leave no evidence of our involvement." The voice cackled and said "Good, good! If that Guardian proves to be a worthy asset, try and weasel your way into his Fireteam. Then I want you to bring him over to our side. Understood?"

Wraith-1 clenched his hands into tight fists as he said "Yes, Master. Over and out." before cutting the connection. He slammed his fist into the ground, creating a massive crater with large cracks running through the dirt for several meters. Wraith-1 took a deep breath to calm himself before vanishing with the use of Void energy.

---

I crouched next to the carcass of a large buck and began to skin it under the guidance of Amelia Riley, the dirt blonde that Sam and I had first met at the refugee camp. She was highly skilled in skinning all kinds of animals, as well as one of the best chefs in the entire encampment. "Look at you! You'll be a pro in no time!" Amelia said as I managed to skin the deer almost perfectly.

I smiled and said "Ah, I still got a long way to go before I get to your level of skill. That much is clear." Amelia released a pleasant giggle as she took the hide from me and began to take all of the excess flesh off of it before covering it in salt and putting it inside of a large leather bag.

Amelia set the bag down and sat down next to me as I stared out at the snow capped mountains. She glanced over and me and said "You really do like nature, don't you?" in a teasing voice. I nodded my head with a smile and replied "Yeah, I really do. I have no memories of my past, my family, or even my real name, but I've always felt a connection with the wilds ever since I opened my eyes."

Amelia's expression softened as she went to lean her head on my shoulder, but a familiar voice called out, saying "Nyo fair! You're hogging all of his attention Amelia!" Sayuri huffed as she moved to my other side and sat down before wrapping her arms around mine.

Amelia laughed and said "Now, now. You'll get plenty of attention later, but it's my turn right now, so shoo!" while gesturing for Sayuri to go away. Sayuri adopted a pout as she held my arm tighter and said "I'm staying whether you like it or nyot!" Amelia's expression changed into a small frown as she grabbed my arm and tried to pull me toward her.

Sayuri accepted her challenge and proceeded to pull back, giving me the feeling that my arms were about to be ripped from my shoulders by these two strangely competitive women. I could practically see sparks flying from their gazes as they refused to back down.

Thankfully, Mac had came over after seeing my plight and said "Would you two lasses mind if I borrowed Mr. Blake for a while?" to which the women reluctantly acquiesced to. They walked off toward the temporary camp while Mac sat down with a relieved sigh.

We sat in silence for a while until Mac said "Lively little lasses aren't they?" with a large grin. I chuckled and said "That may be a gross understatement..." causing Mac to release a chuckle of his own before saying "Y'know, those two were raised here in this forest without knowing their real parents. I've watched em grow up to be respectable young women that I can truly depend on during rough times, and I see them as my own daughters..."

Mac paused before continuing "They used to mechanically go through the days without that light in their eyes as they slowly abandoned hope, but then you came! You became their knight in shining armor my friend. You gave them their light back! As you did for all of us and, for that, we are forever in your debt..."

I shook my head and said "You owe no one, Mac. I may have dangled the promise of freedom in your faces, but you were the ones who decided to reach out and take hold of it for yourselves. The only thing I wish is for you and the others to find peace within the walls of the City, and live out your days wondering about which team is going to win the next crucible match, not if you're going to survive the next day or not..."

I could see a thin mist spread across Mac's eyes as he clapped his hand on my shoulder and said "Aye. Thank you for everything you've done. If you ever need us, we'll be in touch. All you have to do is give us a call and we'll come runnin!" I thanked Mac and wished him a goodnight as I moved to inspect the perimeter of the encampment.

As usual, the night went by without any major hiccups and the refugees packed up their belongings quickly and continued on with the journey. We had breached the forest and started on our way through the large grassy plain with renewed vigor.

Everyone seemed overjoyed to have finally broken free from the forest, which seemed odd to me since the path out was rather easy to follow. I paid my thoughts no heed as I continued to scour my radar for threats while keeping my pace slow enough for the rest to follow, but quick enough to keep the large crowd on the move.

Ever since the first night I spent at the encampment, I had a feeling that we were being followed, and that feeling was like an infected wound that I couldn't treat, leaving it to fester and grow worse every second that it was left unattended.

Sam seemed to sense my growing anxiety and asked 'Hey, are you okay? It's not like you to be so worried...' I swallowed to try and wet my dry throat, but it was all in vain. 'Yeah, I think I'm just worried about the refugees, that's all...' I said in an attempt to calm myself, but I knew it was a lie.

I knew we were being followed.